James Robertson
James Robertson, born in 1742 in Brunswick County, Virginia, he was the son of John and Mary Gower Robertson. James stood six feet tall, with dark brown hair, blue eyes, and a fair complexion. Most all descriptions of his personality point to an individual who was soft spoken and even-tempered, regardless of external circumstances. Charlotte Reeves, who married Robertson in 1768, established a reputation for resourcefulness and strength.
In late 1769, Robertson grew increasingly frustrated with the provincial rule of the North Carolina Governor, William Tryon; he soon became intrigued by the stories of the land west of the Appalachian Mountains and began to consider relocating his family there. That year Robertson crossed the mountains and found a suitable site in the upper Holston Valley near the Watauga River. To make his claim, he planted corn, built a corncrib, and a cabin. On the trip home, Robertson became lost and wandered aimlessly for about two weeks.
Several of Robertson's North Carolina neighbors decided to follow him to the new frontier. In May 1772, the Watauga settlers met to establish a government; they selected Robertson as one of the five magistrates to lead the Watauga Association as well as the elected commander of the Watauga Fort.
James Robertson, born in 1742 in Brunswick County, Virginia, he was the son of John and Mary Gower Robertson. James stood six feet tall, with dark brown hair, blue eyes, and a fair complexion. Most all descriptions of his personality point to an individual who was soft spoken and even-tempered, regardless of external circumstances. Charlotte Reeves, who married Robertson in 1768, established a reputation for resourcefulness and strength.
In late 1769, Robertson grew increasingly frustrated with the provincial rule of the North Carolina Governor, William Tryon; he soon became intrigued by the stories of the land west of the Appalachian Mountains and began to consider relocating his family there. That year Robertson crossed the mountains and found a suitable site in the upper Holston Valley near the Watauga River. To make his claim, he planted corn, built a corncrib, and a cabin. On the trip home, Robertson became lost and wandered aimlessly for about two weeks.
Several of Robertson's North Carolina neighbors decided to follow him to the new frontier. In May 1772, the Watauga settlers met to establish a government; they selected Robertson as one of the five magistrates to lead the Watauga Association as well as the elected commander of the Watauga Fort.
Dr. Thomas Walker
He organized the first known expedition through the Cumberland Gap. He is the first person that settled Kentucky and nobody would care about settling it again until the time of Daniel Boone. Dr. Walker built a cabin in Kentucky and left a journal telling of all he hunted while he was there. Later, a replica of the cabin was built to honor him.
He organized the first known expedition through the Cumberland Gap. He is the first person that settled Kentucky and nobody would care about settling it again until the time of Daniel Boone. Dr. Walker built a cabin in Kentucky and left a journal telling of all he hunted while he was there. Later, a replica of the cabin was built to honor him.
Thomas Sharpe Spencer
He is usually regarded as the first white settler in Tennessee. He went out on a long hunt from 1776-1779 in Middle Tennessee and built many things there. He built cabins, stalked the land, and planted it. One winter he actually lived in a hollow sycamore tree in Bledsoe’s Lick. In 1783, he guarded a group of people that were charting the land there. He was said to have legendary strength and could lift almost anything. A story said that he even threw a man and his horse over a fence. On April 1, 1794 from a gunshot fired from an ambush.
He is usually regarded as the first white settler in Tennessee. He went out on a long hunt from 1776-1779 in Middle Tennessee and built many things there. He built cabins, stalked the land, and planted it. One winter he actually lived in a hollow sycamore tree in Bledsoe’s Lick. In 1783, he guarded a group of people that were charting the land there. He was said to have legendary strength and could lift almost anything. A story said that he even threw a man and his horse over a fence. On April 1, 1794 from a gunshot fired from an ambush.
Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone is one of the most widely known American frontiersmen. Boone’s fame stems from his exploits during the exploration and settlement of Kentucky. He first arrived in the future state in 1767 and spent the better part of the next 30 years exploring and settling the lands of Kentucky.
Wilderness Road
In 1775, the now-legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone blazed a trail through the Cumberland Gap–a notch in the Appalachian Mountains located near the intersection of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee–through the interior of Kentucky and to the Ohio River. Known as the Wilderness Road, the trail would serve as the pathway to the western United States for some 300,000 settlers over the next 35 years.
Daniel Boone is one of the most widely known American frontiersmen. Boone’s fame stems from his exploits during the exploration and settlement of Kentucky. He first arrived in the future state in 1767 and spent the better part of the next 30 years exploring and settling the lands of Kentucky.
Wilderness Road
In 1775, the now-legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone blazed a trail through the Cumberland Gap–a notch in the Appalachian Mountains located near the intersection of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee–through the interior of Kentucky and to the Ohio River. Known as the Wilderness Road, the trail would serve as the pathway to the western United States for some 300,000 settlers over the next 35 years.
William Bean
William Bean was a Trans-Appalachian pioneer; long hunter; and Commissioner of North Carolina's Washington District.
Long hunter- 18th-century explorer and hunters who made expeditions into the American frontier wilderness for as much as six months at a time.
To learn more about William Bean & the Washington district please go to the page on Watuaga.
William Bean was a Trans-Appalachian pioneer; long hunter; and Commissioner of North Carolina's Washington District.
Long hunter- 18th-century explorer and hunters who made expeditions into the American frontier wilderness for as much as six months at a time.
To learn more about William Bean & the Washington district please go to the page on Watuaga.
Richard Henderson
Richard Henderson negotiated “treaty of purchase” at Sycamore Shoals of Watauga River, about six miles from Johnson City, Tennessee, on March 17, 1775. The acquisition by means of this treaty of the title of the Cherokees to lands south of the Kentucky River and the formation and fate of Henderson's Transylvania colony in the Kentucky country have been given weight as factors in the opening of Kentucky to the westward expansion of civilization. For some reason, not easy of explanation, those who have written the history of Tennessee have overlooked or ignored the significance of the purchases of Cherokee lands that lie within the present limits of Tennessee, and of Richard Henderson's part in the efforts to open up and develop them.
Richard Henderson negotiated “treaty of purchase” at Sycamore Shoals of Watauga River, about six miles from Johnson City, Tennessee, on March 17, 1775. The acquisition by means of this treaty of the title of the Cherokees to lands south of the Kentucky River and the formation and fate of Henderson's Transylvania colony in the Kentucky country have been given weight as factors in the opening of Kentucky to the westward expansion of civilization. For some reason, not easy of explanation, those who have written the history of Tennessee have overlooked or ignored the significance of the purchases of Cherokee lands that lie within the present limits of Tennessee, and of Richard Henderson's part in the efforts to open up and develop them.
John Donelson
John Donelson lived form 1718-1785. He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses then moved to Watauga settlements. In 1744, he married Rachel Stockley Donelson. Their daughter, Rachel Jackson, married the 7th president of the United States, Andrew Jackson Donelson also co-founded Fort Nashborough in 1780, which later became city of Nashville, Tennessee. Was a surveyor for the Pittsylvania country from 1769 to 1774. And he surveyed the state line between Virginia and North Carolina, and found that there were 3 settlements that should be in Virginia actually inside North Carolina lines.
John Donelson lived form 1718-1785. He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses then moved to Watauga settlements. In 1744, he married Rachel Stockley Donelson. Their daughter, Rachel Jackson, married the 7th president of the United States, Andrew Jackson Donelson also co-founded Fort Nashborough in 1780, which later became city of Nashville, Tennessee. Was a surveyor for the Pittsylvania country from 1769 to 1774. And he surveyed the state line between Virginia and North Carolina, and found that there were 3 settlements that should be in Virginia actually inside North Carolina lines.
Nancy Ward
Nancy Ward was believed to have been born during the 18th century in Monroe County Tennessee. She was born as a member of the Cherokee tribe sometime around 1738, and at that time her name was Nanye'hi. As a young woman she took part in battles against other Native American tribes, and largely because of this she became a leader within the Cherokee nation. she could also be a peacemaker.
Nancy Ward was believed to have been born during the 18th century in Monroe County Tennessee. She was born as a member of the Cherokee tribe sometime around 1738, and at that time her name was Nanye'hi. As a young woman she took part in battles against other Native American tribes, and largely because of this she became a leader within the Cherokee nation. she could also be a peacemaker.